Blog and News

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Fostering our Connection

November 29, 2020

Mercy. An old-fashioned word that conjures up so many contrasting images. Mercy is “a bond,” writes Cynthia Bourgeault in Mystical Hope, “an infallible link of love that holds the created and uncreated realms together.” Far from condescension or political power, the origin of the word mercy points instead to a flow of connectedness, reciprocity, and exchange....

Remembering “the Goodness of God” – Reflection by Linda Coggin

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October 5, 2020

Julian of Norwich seems to be everywhere. At least, since The Contemplative Society’s online retreat in August, I have noticed this. I have noticed Julian’s presence in conversations with friends, in books I’m reading, and while listening to podcasts. Since the retreat, Julian’s teachings have woven their way into my everyday contemplative practice.

Matthew Wright retreat

Sacred Virtual Retreat Space – Reflection by Martha Keller

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October 5, 2020

Enjoy this generous reflection provided by Martha Keller from Victoria BC. Martha was one of 100 people who participated in our recent virtual event with Matthew Wright, where he offered his heartful and profound insights, teaching, and practices on the theme of "Julian of Norwich...A Voice for Our Times."

Mystical Hope – Vital Sustenance for our Times

October 3, 2020

In 2001 Cynthia Bourgeault published a grace-filled guide for facing difficult times, offering insights and pointers in the small and powerful book entitled MYSTICAL HOPE: Trusting in the Mercy of God. Many in Cynthia’s community and beyond are turning (or re-turning) to this book to navigate current concerns and challenges, and finding it a source of deep spiritual sustenance.

Cynthia with Imaginal book

Eye of the Heart: Cynthia Bourgeault Shares the Imaginal Roadmap

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September 25, 2020

Info and links to recent podcasts and interviews where Cynthia Bourgeault illuminates the Imaginal and some key insights offered in her groundbreaking new book Eye of the Heart.

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September 2020 Update and Message from TCS Board

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September 20, 2020

Dear Contemplative Friends, This has been a year of momentous change and uncertainty! Here at The Contemplative Society, we have been prayerfully discerning our future path through the challenges and opportunities during this tumultuous time. The Board has made some difficult decisions to reduce administrative costs and bring expenses into alignment with income.....

Eye of the Heart book cover

Eye of the Heart: A Spiritual Journey into the Imaginal Realm – by Cynthia Bourgeault

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September 17, 2020

In Eye of the Heart, Cynthia Bourgeault investigates the imaginal realm–an energetic realm well known to the mystical traditions but often forgotten in our own times. It is invisible to the physical eye, but clearly perceptible through the eye of the heart. The imaginal realm has long been associated with the personal world of dreams, prophecy, and oracles, and it also points toward a higher vision of our human purpose that is both evolutionary and collective...

POOL OF WISDOM: A Spiritual Autobiography by Mary-Clare Carder

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July 27, 2020

MARY-CLARE CARDER is a piano teacher by profession with a BMus from the University of Victoria. She is a lifelong Anglican and has participated in dozens of silent retreats and contemplative workshops over the last 30 years. She has led several contemplative workshops and quiet days.

A Teacher Named ‘Covid’ with Susan McCutcheon

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June 17, 2020

My journey with the teacher named ‘covid' began with odd symptoms that I did not connect and so for a couple of days worsened until the telltale cough put the lights on and my doctor sent me for a test... In my Centering Prayer sit that day I decide to explore the fear. Is it fear of dying, fear of illness, fear of dealing with this living alone? Going deeper I think of wisdom school teachings around kenotic release and that we practice this ‘letting go’ and I find myself doing the physical hand gesture.

Zooming Through Ramadan Toward Imperfection with Miranda Harvey

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June 1, 2020

The day before Islam’s holiest month Ramadan was set to begin, I received an email from The Contemplative Society. I was logistically and mentally…

Going Forward with Cynthia Bourgeault

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April 21, 2020

Posted on Facebook April 14, 2020 Going Forward….For the past four weeks, as many of you know, I have been hanging out here on the edge of the known…

Good Friday Stations of the Cross

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April 10, 2020

This meditation on the Stations of the Cross during the Pandemic has been provided by Rev. Dawne Taylor of Kamloops, British Columbia. We thank her for…

Foundational Points for the Five Pandemic Homework Exercises

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March 30, 2020

I am very grateful to Joseph Azize for his willingness to make five of the Gurdjieff exercises available to us within the cyber confines of our Wisdom…

More on the instruction to decrease internet use

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March 24, 2020

(Posted by Cynthia Bourgeault on Facebook, March 24, 2020.) As I expected, I am receiving plenty of raised cyber-eyebrows about my instruction…

From the Eagle’s Nest by Cynthia Bourgeault, March 24, 2020

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March 24, 2020

(the background to Instructions, posted on Cynthia Bourgeault's Facebook page, March 23) I am keenly aware of the irony in all this. Here I sit on…

Instructions from Cynthia Bourgeault

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March 24, 2020

Dear Wisdom friends: Here is my own recommendation for inner work during this time of profound planetary readjustment. I will send you a fuller…

Introductory Wisdom School Online from the Center for Action & Contemplation

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February 27, 2020

If the wisdom path calls to you, I am delighted to share with you an opportunity to participate in an online course created in partnership with the Center for Action and Contemplation.

The Birth of Aliya Mariam by Seemi Bushra Ghazi

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December 16, 2019